By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Dynamite (Episode 186)
Sunrise, Florida at FLA Live Arena
Aired live April 26, 2023 on TBS
[Hour One] Pyro shot off on the stage and then Excalibur checked in on commentary and hyped two world title matches. He was joined on commentary by Tony Schiavone and Taz, and Justin Roberts was back as the ring announcer after missing the previous week due to illness… Entrances for the opening match took place…
1. Orange Cassidy vs. Bandido for the AEW International Championship. After some back and forth action, Bandido dropkicked Cassidy, who tumbled to ringside. Bandido performed a flip dive over the top rope onto Cassidy heading into a picture-in-picture break. [C]
Bandido performed a one-armed dead lift superplex. He followed up with a popup cutter and then covered Cassidy for a near fall. A short time later, Cassidy went for a crossbody block from the middle rope, but Bandido caught him and pressed him over his head with one arm before slamming him.
Bandido went up top and did an Eddie Guerrero shimmy before performing a frogsplash for another two count. Cassidy came back with a mousetrap, but Bandido escaped it at two. Cassidy hit an Orange Punch and followed up with the Beach Break before getting the three count.
Orange Cassidy defeated Bandido in 15:20 to retain the AEW International Championship.
After the match, Cassidy presented his sunglasses to Bandido, who presented Cassidy with his title belt…
Powell’s POV: An entertaining opening match and another strong title defense for Cassidy, who continued to sell various injuries from previous matches. I thought Bandido was a good candidate to take the championship, so his near falls packed more of a punch than usual. By the way, you are stuck with me on Wednesday nights going forward. Jake Barnett has switched to WWE Smackdown coverage on Friday night, so I’m taking the Dynamite coverage permanently. Pour one out for the end of Jake’s great Dynamite reviews.
Backstage, Adam Cole was interviewed by Renee Paquette. Cole said he was going to the ring to call out Chris Jericho during the show. Cole said he would show Jericho the mistake that he made if he came out. Cole said that he would find Jericho if he failed to come out…
After Cole walked away, Cassidy and Bandido joined Paquette, who told them they were trying to get to the bottom of everything that went down involving Cole and Jericho last week. “Oh,” Cassidy replied before walking away. Bandido followed with an “oh” of his own before exiting the interview area… [C]
Paquette stood with Darby Allin and “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry on the backstage interview set and said that Allin requested the time to speak with Perry. Allin said they said things a little too far last week. Allin said they don’t have to like each other, but they should respect each other. Allin said that he would have been at ringside had he known what was going to happen in last week’s main event. Allin asked Perry to have his back.
Perry agreed that they took things too far last week. Perry said that they aren’t the best of friends and probably wouldn’t be. Perry said he wished that he and Allin were facing off this week, but that’s not the match, so he wished Allin luck. Allin said it would have been nice because he would have beaten Perry again. Perry said Allin got lucky last time. Allin told him that he had a match to get ready for, so he’d see him out there later…
Powell’s POV: I wasn’t a fan of the way they tore each other down last week, so it was a welcome development to see them say as much. I’m not really sure why Allin’s character would ask for the time to call a truce only to then state that he would beat Perry again if they were wrestling, but it does make me wonder if all the speculation that they will still end up having a Four Pillars four-way match for the AEW World Championship is accurate.
Jeff Jarrett made his entrance with his crew, but they were sent to the back. Dax Harwood came out with Cash Wheeler. The FTR duo hugged and then Wheeler headed to the back. Footage aired of the awesome trilogy of FTR vs. The Briscoes matches from ROH pay-per-view events…
2. Dax Harwood vs. Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett put Harwood down and then did his strut. Jarrett mugged for the camera and then turned around and ate a couple of chops. Jarrett was back in offensive control heading into a PIP break. [C]
Jarrett went for a figure four, but Harwood countered into an inside cradle for a near fall. Harwood went for a suplex, but Sonjay Dutt showed up and tripped him, causing Jarrett to fall on top of him. Dutt held Harwood’s leg down while Jarrett got a near fall. Harwood chased Dutt around and then in the ring. Jarrett grabbed Harwood and performed The Stroke and then pinned him.
Jeff Jarrett defeated Dax Harwood in roughly 11:00.
Afterward, Dutt grabbed Harwood’s AEW Tag Team Title belt and gave it to Jarrett…
Powell’s POV: So Jarrett’s crew wasn’t allowed at ringside and yet Dutt returned and was chased around the ring in front of the referee? Anyway, there was nothing wrong with having this match, as it helps build toward a tag title match. Yet given the history of FTR in AEW, I hope the company is not reverting to having the FTR duo work anything other than traditional tag team matches again.
Tony Khan stood backstage and said it was great to be in his home state of Florida. He announced that the opening ceremonies of the Owen Hart Cup tournament will be held at AEW Double Or Nothing. He said the tournament will be held in Canada, including at the Forbidden Door event. Khan said it was very fitting because Hart held the IWGP Jr. Hvt. Championship while competing for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Khan said the finals of the tournament will be held in Hart’s hometown of Calgary on July 15…
Powell’s POV: July 15 is a Saturday, so this is another sign that points to AEW launching a Saturday television series. I really hope they load up the tournaments this year. Last year’s tournaments felt a little light and even uneventful.
TNT Champion Wardlow and Arn Anderson made their entrance. Wardlow’s opponent was already in the ring…
3. TNT Champion Wardlow (w/Arn Anderson) vs. a local wrestler in a non-title match. Wardlow won quickly after performing a Powerbomb Symphony…
TNT Champion Wardlow won a squash match in 1:30 in a non-title match.
Arn Anderson delivered an in-ring promo and said that Wardlow is AEW’s dynasty. He said Wardlow could take the company into the next millennium. Anderson said Wardlow would have to pluck out an eye, bite someone’s thumb off, or slam a chair over the head with it if they are going to be aligned.
Christian Cage and Luchasaurus made their entrance. They teased entering the ring, but Cage held back Luchasaurus…
Powell’s POV: I didn’t catch the local wrestler’s name, but I’m just happy that he didn’t continue the streak of wrestlers winning the TNT Championship in their hometown.
Sammy Guevara was interviewed by Paquette. MJF showed up and they took turns kissing one another’s forehead. Guevara said people are complaining that MJF paying him to lay down in the main event at Double Or Nothing are ruining the sanctity of the sport. They simultaneously said they don’t care. Sammy said he’s getting a fat check for it.
Guevara presented MJF with a vest that matched his own. MJF presented Guevara with his own Burberry scarf. Guevara offered him a handshake, but MJF said friends hug, which led to them hugging while mugging for the camera… [C]
RJ City spoke on the backstage set about Kenny Omega teaming with Konosuke Takeshita. Jon Moxley punched out AEW’s wannabe Billy Eichner. Moxley was joined on the set by Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta. Moxley took the mic and said they had some scars to leave on Dynamite…
Entrances for the tournament match took place. MJF came out and joined the broadcast team on commentary and had a container of pickles with him…
4. Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara for a shot at the AEW World Championship at AEW Double Or Nothing. MJF said that Guevara has to lay down for him at Double Or Nothing or the check he gave him will not clear.
[Hour Two] Guevara spat in the face of Allin and then sent him to ringside. Guevara followed and ran him into the ring post. A short time later, Guevara caught Allin with a low blow while shielding the referee. Guevara followed up with a springboard moonsault from the top rope onto Allin heading into a PIP break. [C]
Guevara put Allin on a table and then performed a 630 splash that put him through it, which drew holy shit chants. MJF proclaimed that it would be MJF vs. Guevara in the Double Or Nothing main event, but Allin was able to beat the referee’s count by returning to the ring.
MJF left the broadcast table and headed to ringside. Allin put Guevara down and set up for his Coffin Drop finisher. Tay Melo ended up at ringside and distracted the referee. Meanwhile, MJF tossed a skateboard to Allin, and then Guevara acted like he’d been hit with it. The referee turned around and disqualified Allin.
Sammy Guevara defeated Darby Allin by DQ in 11:55 to win a shot at the AEW World Championship at AEW Double Or Nothing.
Afterward, MJF and Guevara attacked Allin. Schiavone said on commentary that Tony Khan was talking to him. “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry made his entrance and ran off the heels with a chair. Perry tried to help Allin to his feet, but Allin slapped his hand away and the two babyfaces bickered with one another.
MJF encouraged Allin and Perry to beat the hell out of one another and said it would only make things better for him and Guevara. MJF told the crowd they were looking at the main event of Double Or Nothing. MJF told Allin and Perry that they are going back to the undercard where they belong.
“Listen up, you prick,” Schiavone said over the house mic. Schiavone said that he spoke to Tony Khan. He congratulated Guevara for earning a spot in the Double Or Nothing main event. Schiavone said that Khan informed him that Allin and Perry will face MJF and Guevara in a tag team match. If Allin and Perry win the match, then the DON main event will become a Four Pillars four-way match. MJF and Guevara threw a fit before heading to the back…
Adam Cole was listed as speaking after the break… [C]
Powell’s POV: I hate match finishes that contradict the line that referees can only call what they see. This three-man tournament was lame and this all feels like an overbooked mess just to get back to the four-way match that everyone originally assumed would be the DON main event. By the way, shout out to the Tie-Dye Guy, who is in the front row. I don’t know anything about him other than that he’s been a regular at pro wrestling events for a few decades now.
MJF and Guevara walked past Paquette backstage. MJF looked into the camera and vented about what transpired. MJF made it to his SUV and stopped Guevara, claiming that the SUV was full. The camera showed that no one else was in the backseat…
Adam Cole made his entrance and simply stormed to the ring without doing his usual routine. Cole called out Chris Jericho. Cole lost patience and said he would come find him. Cole started to leave the ring, but he was stopped by Judas playing.
Chris Jericho appeared on the big screen. Jericho said he didn’t want to be anywhere near someone like Cole, who let the love of his life take a beating. Jericho said that while he didn’t want to be in the ring with Cole, his guys would.
Daniel Garcia, Jake Hager, Matt Menard, and Angelo Parker headed to the ring and attacked Cole. Orange Cassidy and Bandido came out to help, but they were quickly outnumbered.
Roderick Strong made his AEW debut and was able to take out the Jericho Appreciation Society members. Once Cole got to his feet, he hugged Strong. Cassidy and Bandido looked at the duo and left the ring while Excalibur stated that Cole and Cassidy had a complicated history…
Powell’s POV: Cole just can’t escape the Undisputed Era. Good for Strong, who is now working under the same banner as wife Marina Shafir.
A QTV video aired. QT Marshall, Harley Cameron, Aaron Solo, and a couple of unnamed people. Marshall said it had been a rough couple of weeks. He ran through some of their recent troubles and said the worst was Wardlow stealing the TNT Title from Powerhouse Hobbs.
Powerhouse Hobbs entered the picture and shoved Marshall against the wall. Marshall told Hobbs that he wasn’t a champion until he joined his side and promised that Hobbs would be a champion again. Hobbs released Marshall, told him to fix it, and then stormed away. Marshall told the others that it was time for Plan B…
Powell’s POV: I won’t waste time grumbling about QTV. Rather, I’ll simply suggest that AEW take a page out of NXT’s playbook by using name graphics for some of the backstage segments. They cram a ton of wrestlers onto each episode and it would make things easier for casual viewers.
Entrances for the TBS Championship match took place…
5. Jade Cargill (w/Mark Sterling, Leila Grey) vs. Taya Valkyrie for the TBS Championship. Justin Roberts delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Cargill tripped up Valkyrie on the apron and then slammed her to the ringside mat going into a PIP break. [C]
Cargill superplexed Valkyrie and then followed up with a Canadian Destroyer for a near fall. Cargill went for Jaded, but Valkyrie was able to escape the move that she also uses as her finisher. Valkyrie set for for the Road To Valhalla (a/k/a Jaded), but Sterling and the referee told her she couldn’t do it per the match stipulation. Valkyrie released Cargill, who rolled her into a pin for the win…
Jade Cargill defeated Taya Valkyrie in 8:15 to retain the TBS Championship.
After the match, a frustrated Valkyrie grabbed referee Aubrey Edwards and set her up for her finisher, but four other referees ran in and talked her down…
Powell’s POV: I guess the idea is that Valkyrie may have been able to beat Cargill had it not been for the lame stipulation. It sets up a rematch, but I think they would have been better off saving their first match for the pay-per-view.
Backstage, Britt Baker was shown with a black eye. The camera pulled back and showed AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter, who had her right arm in a sling. They the Outcasts could use as many weapons as they like. Hayter said they’ve declared war and the only way it will end is if they are sent to the morgue…
Excalibur announced Ricky Starks and Shawn Spears vs. “Bullet Club Gold” Jay White and Juice Robinson. A brief video package aired with the two teams talking about the match…
The following segments were announced for Rampage: Dustin Rhodes and Keith Lee in action, The Outcasts speak, Anna Jay vs. Ashley D’Amboise, The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass address the people, and Cash Wheeler vs. Jay Lethal…
The following matches were advertised for next week’s Dynamite: MJF and Sammy Guevara vs. Darby Allin and Jack Perry, and Orange Cassidy, Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and Bandido vs. Daniel Garcia. Jake Hager, Matt Menard, and Angelo Parker.
Powell’s POV: Good lord, Excalibur’s speed reading through the Rampage and Dynamite lineups is somehow getting faster. It’s just chaos and it’s hard to imagine that all of those matches and segments actually stick with most viewers.
Bryan Danielson made his entrance to join the broadcast team on commentary for the main event… [C] Entrances for the main event tag team match took place…
6. Kenny Omega and Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis) vs. The Butcher and The Blade (w/Kip Sabian, Penelope Ford). Omega and Takeshita made quick tags to start while working over The Blade. Omega had Butcher down at ringside and ran the ropes, but Sabian reached in and grabbed his leg. The Butcher set up Omega and then Sabian performed a springboard move onto him heading into a PIP break. [C]
Late in the match, Takeshita put Butcher down with a Blue Thunder Bomb. The Blade ran in and took a knee to the face from Takeshita and a snap dragon suplex from Omega, who then took out Blade and Sabian with a flip dive. Takeshita blasted Butcher with a knee strike and pinned him.
Kenny Omega and Konosuke Takeshita beat The Butcher and The Blade in 8:30.
After the match, Danielson spoke over the house mic and said that one real wrestler got the pin. He said the other member of the team was living off the legacy he built in Japan. Danielson said that if Takeshita trained with the BCC he would be a world beater. Danielson said that if Takeshita trained with The Elite, he’d be like Brandon Cutler and Michael Nakazawa and “would be washing you guys in the shower.”
Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta attacked Omega from behind while simply clearing Takeshita from the ring. Danielson wanted Moxley to finish the job with a screwdriver.
The Young Bucks entrance theme played. Castagnoli ran to the stage and ate a double superkick from Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson. Yuta ran up and met the same fate. In the ring, Omega put Moxley down with a snap dragon suplex. The Bucks entered the ring and double superkicked Moxley.
Danielson encouraged Takeshita to enter the ring while pointing out that Omega had the screwdriver. Takeshita went to the ring and tried to talk down Omega. Yuta pulled Matt to ringside and the cameras missed Moxley shoving Takeshita into Omega.
Once The Elite were cleared from the ring, the BCC members raised the arms of Takeshita, who put his arms down and said no. Danielson told Takeshita to think about what he was doing and said he should want to be with the BCC. Yuta low-blowed Takeshita. Danielson said Takeshita made his choice. Castagnoli and Yuta held Takeshita and then Moxley jabbed him repeatedly with the screwdriver. Takeshita was shown bleeding while the BCC left the ring and then the Elite trio returned to check on Takeshita…
Powell’s POV: The main event didn’t really feel like a main event simply because Butcher and Blade never win Dynamite matches, but it was cool to see Omega and Takeshita team up. The post match angle gave Takeshita a good reason to align with The Elite in their feud with BCC. I will have more to say about this episode in my weekly same night audio review of AEW Dynamite for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons).
FTR please re-sign with us. *FTR signs extension*. Immediately back to singles action where you’ll lose to Jeff Jarrett. Nice move, snowman.
The company that never has a disqualification has one now where the referee never saw the offense. Strange.
Also, apparently Darby Allin has never watched wrestling before. When Sammy tossed him the skateboard and collapsed on the ground, Darby had about 30 seconds to toss it away before the ref turned around. Instead, he chose to stand there with mouth open and skateboard in hand until the ref got around to looking.